Surma & Gambella

What Kusse K. Bekele is offering

PROGRAM TO SURMA & GAMBELA
11 DAYS Tour program
Day 01: Addis Abeba – Jimma: On our first day we will drive around 360 KM Jimma where most of the territory is inhabited by the Oromo people. The Oromo are an ethnic group found in Ethiopia, in northern Kenya, and to a lesser extent in parts of Somalia. Their native language is Oromoiffa which is part of the Cushitic branch of the Afro-Asiatic language family. ON, Hotel
Day 02: we drive from Jimma – Bebeka through the Ethiopia’s indigenous dense forest. The people living in this area are from Kefecho, yem and Bench ethnic groups. This place is famous in coffee, tea and spice growing region from all over the country. On the way visit the Meen’t tribe. Overnight in Bebeka Guest house where the Ethiopia’s largest old coffee plantation.
Day 03: we drive from Bebeka – Kibish, the land of the Surma people, after crossing the Akobo River you experience the African Savanna grass land. You will stop at the small village-town of Dimma for lunch. Continue driving further west to Tulgit and then to Kibish. Tulgit and Kibish are small villages of the Surma people. ON Campsite.
Day 04: Kibish, full day with the Surma people who share the practice of the women’s inserting of clay discs in their lower lips, and the men’s ‘Stick Fighting’ which practice is shared – with the Mursi people who live on the other side of the Omo River. We walk around the local villages in Kibish. ON Camp
Day 05: Kibish, if we are lucky enough there might be stick dueling ceremony, arranged between youngsters to prove their strength and power to be able to protect their family if they want to get married. ON Camp
Day 06: returning on our way back we will drive to Mizan, lunch on the way. ON Hotel
Day 07: Drive to Gambela for about 230 KM stopping for visits in different villages populated by various ethnic groups. ON Hotel
Day 08: Gambella: full day dedicated to the exploration of different villages of the Nuer and Anuak tribes. The Nuer (also known as the Nei Ti Naath) are a confederation of tribes located in Southern Sudan and western Ethiopia. They are a pastoral people who rely on cattle products for almost every aspect of their daily lives. The "Anuak" are from the family of Nilotes. They have lived in the area of the Upper Nile for hundreds of years and consider their land to be their tribal land. The Anuak are ethnically, culturally, linguistically, historically and religiously different from most other Ethiopians. ON Hotel
Day 09: Drive from Gambela to Ambo for about 600KM, it is a long way to drive north-east towards the capital with a lunch stop at Nekemt. ON Hotel in Ambo.
Day 10: Drive from Ambo-Wonchi –Ambo for 80 KM. The lively town of Ambo is located 125km west of Addis and 32km south of Ambo is found the volcanic crater of Wonchi. The magnificent landscapes, the volcanic hot springs surrounded by shady trees are some of the many characteristics of the crater found 3000m above sea level. There is a small monastery called Kirkos on the island. A trekking of 7 hrs which is quite fascinating could be arranged. If 7 hrs is too much, just a 4 hrs walk could be realized. ON Hotel in Ambo
Day 11: Ambo- Addis Abeba. Drive to Addis with a stop at Menagesh to visit the church of St Mary built by Emperor Menlik before he moved his capital to Entot then to Addis. Farewell Dinner at a traditional restaurant with folklore Music; Departure.
P.S. All programs are re-written to include traditional market days, National Holidays, Special Ceremonies, personal needs, Distances, and other events based on your departure date and time.